Early goals from Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho help the Hammers to secure victory over Liverpool at Upton Park.
Liverpool’s dismal start to the Premier League season has continued on a frustrating evening in East London for Brendan Rodgers and his side, with a lightning quick start helping West Ham to earn a deserved victory against a Reds side who have now three of their opening five Premier League fixtures.
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The hosts started like a train and got their rewards in the second minute, with dreadful defending from the visitors allowing Winston Reid to bundle home James Tomkins’ header, giving the Hammers the perfect start:
With Liverpool still shellshocked from the speed of the Hammers’ start to the match, Sam Allardyce’s side took full advantage and doubled their lead inside eight minutes, with Diafra Sakho this time getting fortunate as his cross sailed over Simon Mignolet and into the far corner. unless it was a stunning chip into the far post!
The Reds had to do something, with a formation change somewhat thrust on Rodgers when right back Javier Manquillo limped off to be replaced by Mamadou Sakho, allowing the visitors to switch to a three at the back and, in turn, begin to get a hold on the game.
With a spell of pressure having been seen off by West Ham it was no surprise when Liverpool did halve the deficit, with their most impressive player on the evening, Raheem Sterling, slamming home a neat rebound:
The second half, unsurprisingly, was largely controlled by Liverpool as they monopolised possession and looked to put pressure on the hosts’ defence, but James Tomkins and Winston Reid were largely untroubled by an insipid Liverpool attack, with Fabio Borini really struggling alongside Mario Balotelli. In the end a West Ham victory was no less than the Hammers deserved and they confirmed it late on when Frenchman Morgan Amalfitano deliciously slotted into the far corner with the outside of his right foot after being set away by a fine through ball:
Liverpool will need to reassess their options after a disappointing week that was only slightly rescued by a late, late Champions League victory over Ludogorets Razgrad at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers and his side will need to improve and do so quickly.